Coping with Nuisances on the Web

A model of web annoyance coping was constructed based on the Cognitive-Motivational-Relational Theory of Emotion. The proposed model predicts that web users would cope with annoyances through both problem- and emotion-focused strategies. In two focus groups, participants identified nuisances encountered during use of the two websites (Facebook and MySlice), and their reactions to the nuisances as coping strategies. The findings include a web nuisance categorization and empirical evidence to support the proposed model of web annoyance coping. Besides filling a gap in the literature and providing theoretical contributions, the study has practical implications to website designers, marketers and other stakeholders

Design Science in Human-Computer Interaction: A Model and Three Examples

Humanity has entered an era where computing technology is virtually ubiquitous. From websites and mobile devices to computers embedded in appliances on our kitchen counters and automobiles parked in our driveways, information and communication technologies (ICTs) and IT artifacts are fundamentally changing the ways we interact with our world. Indeed, the world itself changing, becoming ever more artificial. It is a designed world that we have created for ourselves. Human-computer interaction (HCI) scholars are concerned with the interactions that occur between people and technology in this new world: how do IT artifacts impact the human experience, and how can knowledge of the human experience impact the design of new computer-based systems? At the same time, HCI is design-oriented, a community where scholars seek to shape the design of new IT artifacts, and make real improvements to the world we live in. It remains an unresolved challenge to bring these scholarly and design perspectives together. Various models and approaches have been proposed, but current thinking on a design science for HCI is in flux. This multi-paper dissertation draws upon existing literature from HCI, various design communities, and information systems (IS) to develop a new model of design science: the theory, design, and evaluation (TDE) model. The TDE model, informed by an included research paper, envisions that scholarly activities and design activities can occur in parallel across the three stages of theory, design, and evaluation. The TDE model is demonstrated using an additional three included papers, each one taken from a separate TDE design science project. These ongoing projects occur in widely varied contexts - gaming for citizen science, online nuisances, and military history education - but each has the TDE model as its central organizing structure. The papers are examples of TDE knowledge outcomes, but also address design outcomes from each project. The three projects are analyzed and connected directly to various elements of the TDE model itself. In addition, the final chapter describes future directions for the three projects and the TDE model, as well as thinking on the importance of design science in HCI scholarship

Ad Intrusiveness, Loss of Control, and Stress: A Psychophysiological Study

As Internet advertising has become increasingly important in supporting free content, advertisers are trying to find novel ad formats (such as timed pop-up ads) to compete for users’ attention. Thus, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the effects of advertising characteristics on users’ emotions. To this end, we examine the effects of the ad characteristics perceptual salience and interference with user control on users’ perceived attentional and behavioral control, attentional and behavioral intrusiveness, and ultimately, stress. In this paper, we propose a theoretical model and report the results of a preliminary study that triangulates self-report measures with objective measures of psychophysiological activation. Preliminary data from a study using 36 participants indicates that the ad characteristics perceptual salience and interference with user control influence users’ perceived attentional and behavioral control. Preliminary analysis of facial electromyography data also suggests an influence of ad characteristics on affective responses

Access the Web: Dealing with Problem Patrons

Article reviewing 10 library websites containing problem patron policies and procedure

Finding still waters and green pastures: Understanding and reducing stress in urban church planting

The work of urban church planters is often hindered by high levels of stress. Stress may be viewed as a process that involves stressors and an individual’s perceptions of both the level of threat and his or her ability to deal with the threat. The long term and the short term consequences of stress can be attenuated through appropriate coping strategies such as problem solving, prayer, and seeking social support. Recent empirical evidence indicates that exposure to nature is also very effective, a strategy that might be especially beneficial to urban church planters and their ministries. Several practical applications are suggested

Finding Still Waters and Green Pastures: Understanding and Reducing Stress in Urban Church Planting

The work of urban church planters is often hindered by high levels of stress. Stress may be viewed as a process that involves stressors and an individual’s perceptions of both the level of threat and his or her ability to deal with the threat. The long-term and the short-term consequences of stress can be attenuated through appropriate coping strategies such as problem solving, prayer, and seeking social support. Recent empirical evidence indicates that exposure to nature is also very effective, a strategy that might be especially beneficial to urban church planters and their ministries. Several practical applications are suggested

Finding Still Waters and Green Pastures: Understanding and Reducing Stress in Urban Church Planting

The work of urban church planters is often hindered by high levels of stress. Stress may be viewed as a process that involves stressors and an individual’s perceptions of both the level of threat and his or her ability to deal with the threat. The long-term and the short-term consequences of stress can be attenuated through appropriate coping strategies such as problem solving, prayer, and seeking social support. Recent empirical evidence indicates that exposure to nature is also very effective, a strategy that might be especially beneficial to urban church planters and their ministries. Several practical applications are suggested

Designing a web spatial decision support system based on analytic network process to locate a freight lorry parking

The relevant role of freight lorry parking facilities as a tool to reduce nuisances and impact of economic activities in densely populated urban areas is widely recognised in the literature. Nevertheless, the literature currently lacks specific contributions addressing the use of a complex Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach for coping with an optimal location of freight lorry parking facilities in the urban context. This paper contributes to filling this gap by analysing a real-world case study motivated by the problem of intense freight vehicles traffic around the city of Bradford, Yorkshire (UK). Since it is necessary to include diverse analysis perspectives, reflecting the different classes of involved stakeholders, this study proposes adopting the Analytic Network Process (ANP) approach as a tool to support the selection and evaluation of alternatives for a freight lorry parking facility, followed by the design of software based on this approach. The proposed web Spatial Decision Support System provides a valuable tool to foster extended discussions with experts and facilitate the decision process in this class of location problems

Nighttime Construction Issues

This report addresses several issues to consider when considering performing highway construction work in Kentucky at night. Surveys of other state departments of transportation and Kentucky highway contractors were made to identify best practices and concerns. An advisory committee of experienced KyTC engineers plus contractor representatives met extensively to identify successful approaches for handling key issues which arise on night-time construction projects. Seventeen specific recommendations have been proposed to enhance the Cabinet\u27s use of night-time construction for its projects. These cover several issues related to night-time work, including contract requirements, traffic control, law enforcement, personnel issues, lighting and public awareness. A method (the Night-Time Project Evaluation Form) was also developed for evaluating a proposed construction project as a candidate for night-time work. If properly implemented, night-time construction can greatly decrease the duration of highway construction projects, greatly reduce road user delays and associated costs, while providing a safe environment for both workers and the traveling public